After 63 years in one place, Atlantic Beach's Bob Thompson retires from Bob's Barber Shop

Editor's note: Bob Thompson, 81, who's owned Bob's Barber Shop in Atlantic Beach for 60 years (and who worked in the same place for three years before that), will officially retire on Leap Day. He'll give one last haircut that day — to his successor, longtime co-worker David Lambert, who will take over the business and keep Bob's going. Below is a 2021 story about Thompson by Beaches correspondent Bill Longenecker that ran in the Times-Union's Shorelines section.

Bob Thompson has worked the same barber's chair for 60 years. Will he ever officially retire?

"I'm doing about as little as I can right now. Two to three hours, three days a week," he said with a laugh (something he does often). "Can't do much less!"

He was 18 when first came to Florida to visit relatives in 1961. He was already enrolled in a barber school in his native West Virginia but was told he could not begin for nine months.

The Florida Barber College, once in downtown Jacksonville, told him he could start immediately. He moved to a place on West 27th Street near Brentwood Park downtown. After six months there, he graduated and began to work in the shop he has owned since he was 21. April 11, 1961, his career began at Macomb's Barber Shop.

Three years later, he married Delores in February and then bought the shop on April 1. They had known each other for a long time back in West Virginia. Their long marriage has given them two daughters, five grandchildren and now, two great-grandchildren.

"Men's haircuts were $1.50. That was more than even in downtown Jacksonville. My rent was $50 a months. I've rented from just three owners [since taking over]. We bought a house in Royal Palms for $11,500, $60 a month," said Bob of those early days.

He has outlived four of the barbers who have worked at Bob's Barber Shop on the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Seminole Road. He ran the once four-chair shop alone for the first 20 years.

A long-time view of beach history gives him memories, but his shop, as it is today, has remained virtually unchanged. Some famous beach people have been customers.

He cut hair for Marshal Jimmy Jarboe for many years right up until his death. There was former sports director from Channel 12, Walt Dunbar, who lived down the street. Fletcher's Wimpy Sutton and former Atlantic Beach mayor Billy Howell also graced his chair.

He still has a Navy connection in Vice Adm. Sean Buck, who once headed up the Mayport Naval Station and now serves as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy (editors note: He retired in August).

He misses two famous local restaurants. Junior and Gerri's The Rite Spot had moved from across city hall in Neptune Beach to just east of the shop and across the street once sat the Gourmet.

A man of few words despite a gift for smiling and customer banter, Bob has a simple answer to the success of his business: "Good people, good workers, good customers."

"I [once] knew 90 percent of the shrimpers. Four or five at a time would come in. Made for some good conversations," he said. "Of course, there aren't many left."

He has shared his corner location with other businesses. The Tappin Book Mine sold used books and comics for many years. A brief run as a convenience store followed.

"Biggest change? Everything. Most positive? The population. Most negative? The population," said Bob of his six decades on the corner.

Bob's Barber Shop's current staff includes David Lambert with 12 years and Mariana Boehm with four years. Of those who have moved on or died, David said quite jokingly that Bob "worked them to death."

Bob's simple retort came with his characteristic gentle laugh.

"I don't know about that," he said.

Bob and Delores spend their "almost retirement" doing lawn work at their home on Hagler Drive in Neptune Beach and visiting with family. They used to travel more than is possible for them now.

As to how much longer he will be cutting hair?

"I'm as good as retired now," Bob said. "Thanks to good health, I'm still here."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Atlantic Beach barber retires after more than 60 years cutting hair